Today’s ReptilesSECTION 34.2

Lizards Iguanas, chameleons, geckos, anoles, horned lizards Some are herbivores – most are carnivores Many can regenerate lost tails – but they do not re-grow the bones

Male Collared Lizard

Iguana

Green Anole – common in Alabama

Snakes Lack moveable eyelids and external ears Skeleton:

◦ No pectoral girdle (shoulders)◦ Jaws have 5 points of movement

Feeding:◦ Constrictors – suffocate prey◦ Venomous: cobras, sea snakes, adders, pit vipers

(rattlers, copperheads, cottonmouths)

Eastern King Snake – an Alabama constrictor

Eastern Rattlesnake

Copperhead snakes

Water moccasin aka cottonmouth

Turtles & Tortoises Turtles – water dwelling; flattened shells Tortoises – land dwelling; dome shaped shells Shell – fused plates of bone covered with scales or leathery skin◦ carapace – dorsal shell; fused to vertebrae◦ plastron – ventral shell

No teeth – some are herbivores; many are carnivores (snapping turtle)

Alabama map turtle

Gopher tortoise – endangered species found in south Alabama

Crocodiles & Alligators All are carnivores Crocodiles – have longer, narrower snouts Alligators – have shorter, broader snouts Mothers protect both the nest with eggs and the young after hatching

Tuataras Only 2 species – both live in New Zealand Lizard-like Active at low temperatures

Tuatara